For nine years, Anita Carter has been a steady and strategic force behind Primo Center’s financial strength and program sustainability. As Director of Billing and Medicaid Strategies—and the 2025 recipient of the Bishop Primo Legacy Award—Anita exemplifies the steadfast commitment, dignity, and excellence that define Bishop Primo’s legacy. She began her journey with Primo as a contractor, thoughtfully building the organization’s billing structure from the ground up before joining full-time. With more than 20 years of prior experience at Beacon Therapeutic School, Anita brought deep expertise—and over time, discovered just how strong and patient she truly is while supporting a wide range of staff and funders.

Anita is known not just for her precision and strategic mind, but for her heart. “I love the work, the staff and how family-oriented Primo is,” she shares. “We are all a team and all the pieces go together.” That team-centered philosophy is evident in the relationships she builds across departments and with external partners. She approaches complex Medicaid systems and funding structures with clarity and calm, ensuring that Primo’s programs remain both compliant and sustainable—so families experiencing homelessness can receive the services they deserve.

Outside of work, Anita’s life reflects the same warmth and dedication she brings to Primo. A retired roller skater who once graced rinks across Chicago—favoring skating backwards—she now spends her time enjoying family gatherings with her nieces, nephews, and goddaughter. She is an active church member and unwinds with a good Hallmark movie. In the kitchen, she carries forward her mother’s legacy through a treasured collection of handwritten, now-laminated recipes. Anita beams when her mac and cheese and spaghetti (complete with a “secret ingredient” she laughingly refuses to reveal) taste just like her mom’s. And while she modestly claims she’s not a baker, her sweet potato pies tell another story.

Looking ahead, Anita hopes Primo can secure expanded funding for children’s programming—especially for young people who are too old for Early Learning yet too young for Kids Connected. Her vision speaks to her enduring belief in Primo’s mission and its future. Through her leadership, integrity, and quiet determination, Anita Carter continues to rise above and beyond—honoring Bishop Primo’s legacy while helping shape the next chapter of Primo Center’s impact.